India seize Test series win after Sri Lanka's resistance headlines draw in Colombo
Things ended in an impasse in Colombo as Sonal Dinusha dragged things out heroically, keeping Sri Lanka alive and ensuring the hosts drew the second Test. Dinusha’s unbeaten ton prevented the Indian bowlers from breaking through, despite strong efforts from Manav Suthar and Ravindra Jadeja, in what was a modest bowling performance from India.
Despite India taking back control at the end of Day 4, Sri Lanka managed to knit together a significant stand through Keshara Nuwantha and Dinusha. The two added 112 runs for the seventh wicket before Manav Suthar could remove the former to break the stand.’
Prabath Jayasuriya (2) couldn’t add many runs but he hung in the center long enough, allowing Sonal Dinusha to regulate the stand. Jadeja removed Jayasuriya but it wasn’t enough as Lahiru Kumara gave Dinusha great company, scoring 12 off 90 balls before Jadeja dismissed him.
Sonal Dinusha stayed unbeaten for 133 from 264 balls, pushing Sri Lanka to the very end before the spoils were shared. Ravindra Jadeja and Manav Suthar led the Indian charge with the two plundering three wickets each. Dinusha was the Player of the Match for his resistance while Devdutt Padikkal secured the Player of the Series award for his incredible performance with the bat.
Brief scores:
India – 503/9 (Devdutt Padikkal – 117, Dhruv Jurel – 115*, Asitha Fernando – 4/106)
Sri Lanka – 290 (Sonal Dinusha – 103, Pasindu Sooriyabandara – 80, Prasidh Krishna – 3/52, Manav Suthar – 3/85)
Sri Lanka – 429/9 (f/o) – (Sonal Dinusha – 133, Pasindu Sooriyabandara – 92, Ravindra Jadeja – 3/94, Manav Suthar – 3/121)
Match drawn
